Case Conceptualization Outline COUN 7737 Practicum

Client: __EH____________________________

1. Identifying Data and Background Information: Age, sex, marital status, ethnicity, current living situation, education, occupation, referral source, and mental status. The client is a ten year old student at Langston Chapel Elementary School. He is a Caucasian male who lives with his mother and has occasional visitation with his father. He was referred by the school counselor, who stated that he annoys other students, has difficulty making friends, impulsivity, and difficulty concentrating when he is not taking his medication. He is currently taking medication for ADHD. 2. Presenting Problem: Clients perception of the problem. With this client, there have only been two occasions where his ADHD was discussed, once when he was not taking it, and once during the subsequent session. Other topics of discussion included negative experiences with his father and the recent death of his uncle. 3. Brief History: Information relevant to the presenting problem and including present circumstances. During a visit one year ago, the clients father grabbed him by the leg, causing him extreme pain. The mother, aunt, and uncle intervened, trying to get the father to let go of the clients leg. After this incident, the fathers visitation rights have been reduced to every other weekend and never overnight. The client stated that he is happy with this arrangement. His uncle Joey died one year ago, which he claims that he is sad about. 4. Treatment Plan: Because this client is a child, no treatment plan is being developed. 5. Ethical Considerations: Which of the ethical principles for counselors are relevant in this case and how have they been resolved? According to the ACA Codes of Ethics, the following are ethical considerations that were either already resolved or must be continually considered. A.2.d. Inability to Give Consent. Due to the clients age, it was necessary for the clients parents to give consent.

A.3. Clients Served by Others: Due to the client being a student of Langston Chapel Elementary School, he is also under the care of Mrs. Cairney, the schools counselor. Therefore, we must maintain a positive and collaborative relationship. B.6.c. Permission to Observe: Because the sessions that I have with this client are to be recorded and observed by my supervisor, I needed to obtain permission from the clients parents before recording. E.2.a. Limits of Competence: Because I am not trained to diagnose or treat any mental disorder, I cannot attempt to treat the clients ADHD. Therefore, I must be careful in how I treat and react to this topic.

6. Multicultural Considerations: What are the multicultural considerations relevant in this case and how have they been resolved? I think that the biggest multicultural considerations are the age difference, the location of our upbringing, and his ADHD symptoms. Utilizing my training, I let the child lead the sessions using games, coloring, and the clients favorite activity of paper folding to facilitate communication. When his ADHD symptoms came up, I asked for his perception of his symptoms, what they mean to him, and how he copes with them. Considering his upbringing, I keep an open mind and ask for the norms of his family. 7. Summary: Brief review of presenting problem and treatment plan. Also give tentative DSM-IV diagnosis (optional), expected length of treatment, and prognosis. The client is a fifth grade student at Langston Chapel Elementary School who has been referred to me concerning his interrelations with others and coping with the effects of his ADHD symptoms. However, his presenting problems typically revolve around his family and traumatic events. Treatment is expected to continue over the next two months for approximately six more sessions. I expect to continue discussing his familial relationships, traumas, and how he behaves in class. I would also be interested in discussing how he makes friends. 8. Signature Line: Sign and Date

Derek Joyce 10/22/2012